Barefoot Pinot Grigio

Barefoot
Pinot Grigio
California
$6 US Dollars
California

Tart green apple flavors get down with a white peach undertone. Floral blossoms and citrus aromas do the tango.  Barefoot's Pinot Grigio is light-bodied with a bright finish.

My opinion: While I used to like barefoot a lot, I feel like my taste has changed since starting this class.  I did not enjoy this wine at all.  I was too sweet for me and not dynamic at all, it seemed to have only one favor which was a a kind of sour undertone coming through.

I did not have this wine with food.

Woodbridge Chardonnay

Woodbridge
Chardonnay
2008
California
$11 US Dollars

This vibrant, medium- bodied Chardonnay is lovely to pair with appetizers, including grilled summer vegetables and fresh fruits.  Additionally, the wine can be enjoyed with heartier dishes such as lemon pepper chicken. Best served lightly chilled.

My opinion: I loved the taste of this wine with chicken.  I was nervous that it was going to be a little to light for me, but it ended up being the perfect amount of heaviness for the chicken.

Clos du Bois Chardonnay

Clos du Bois
Chardonnay
California
2011
$15.00 US Dollars

This wine has a brilliant silver straw yellow hue.  Intense aromas of apply blossom, ripe pear, and sweet lemon drop are complimented by toasty oak, spice and cream.  The silky texture of the wine is overlaid with bright and juicy flavors of rich ripe apply and pear finishing in a long fresh aftertaste.

My opinion: I enjoyed that the wine was pretty light feeling on the tongue, however I did not appreciate the spice aspect of the wine.  I felt that it was out of place for a chardonnay.

I did not drink this wine with food.

Apothic Red

Apothic Red
California
$8.99 US Dollars
2012

A masterful blend of rich Zinfandel, smooth Merlot, flavorful Syrah and bold Cabernet Sauvignon creates layers of dark red fruit complemented by hints of vanilla and mocha.

My Opinion: My first thought with this wine was that I could definitely taste the vanilla.  I thought that it made the wine very sweet which I enjoyed with steak over a salad. I don't think it paired well with the dressing but that it would have been perfect with just steak.

Bay Bridge Chardonnay

Bay Bridge
Chardonnay
California
$3.99 US Dollars
2014

Did not have sufficient tasting notes.

My opinion: I was surprised by the lack of flavor in this wine.  I knew that it was going to be a little lighter, but I think that the price of the wine matches the taste in this case.

I did not have this wine with food.

Sledgehammer Zinfandel

Sledgehammer
Zinfandel
Lake County, California
2008
10 US Dollars

This is not the elegant, delicate sipping wine that you'd find at your grandma's bridge club.  To the contrary, Sledgehammer Zinfandel is big, bold, and spicy. It pairs well with grilled meat and loud music.

My opinion: The wine was a little to much for me.  There was a lot of flavor in it and I could barely tell what was what. The spices came through on my nose and I thought that they were way too strong.

I also had this wine when I was eating salad and it did not pair well at all.

Sledgehammer Cabernet Sauvignon

Sledgehammer
Cabernet Sauvignon
2012
Northern California
10 US Dollars

Never mind the French-sounding name, this Cabernet Sauvignon is All-American.  Grown in Northern California, the Sledgehammer Cab offers a smooth, rich flavor that pairs well with prime steaks, not baguettes and pate.

My opinion: I absolutely loved this wine.  I love that I could taste a lot of blackberry coming through as well as smell the blackberry when I sniffed.  It was fruity, not to heavy, but had a small bite like I like.

I paired this wine with a salad, I feel like it would have gone much better with chicken or steak.

Oak Leaf Cabernet Sauvignon

Oak Leaf Cabernet Sauvignon

2012

US 6 DOLLARS

California

This medium-bodied, soft Merlot has a captivating nose of blackberries and ripe plum, complemented by a satisfying finish.  Pair with hearty lasagna.

My opinion: I thought that the wine was a lot heavier then I was expecting and I had trouble drinking it sip after sip.  I felt like it could have paired well with dark chocolate but you can't drink a lot of it at once.

Oak Leaf Vineyards Chardonnay

Oak Leaf Vineyards
Chardonnay
California
2012
4 US Dollars

This medium-bodied, round Chardonnay has aromas of green apple and pineapple, a touch of oak and a smooth finish.  Pair with Garlic Shrimp

My opinion: I really like how there was a little bit of a zest behind the wine, and that it wasn't just a sweet wine.

I had the wine with scallops and it paired perfectly.

Oak Leaf Vineyards Sweet White

Oak Leaf Vineyards
Sweet White
California
2012
3 US Dollars


Has bright aromas of lemon and fresh melon with a clean, crisp finish.

My opinion: I thought that the wine was too sweet to handle. I have come to like a little more of a bite in my wines and this tasted essentially like sweet grapes without any alcohol.

I did not have this wine with food.

Rex-Goliath Savignon Blanc

Rex-Goliath
Savignon Blanc
California
2012
7.50 US Dollars

With bright lively citrus and summer fruit flavors - like honeydew melon, nectarine, and pair - our Sauvignon Blanc is perfect for picnics, entertaining on the patio, or rewarding yourself after a long day. 

My opinion: I though that the wine was very light and crisp, but did not have a lot of flavor to it.  I think that it would be a perfect wine for a hot summer day, but that drinking it in the middle of winter did not do it as much justice.

I did not have this wine with food.

Naked Grape Pinot Grigio

The Naked Grape
Pinot Grigio
California
2012
12 US Dollars

Aromas of pear and lemon.  A light go everywhere and with everything style.

My opinion: This wine was not to sweet as well as not too dry, I liked that it went down really easy without any bite at the end. I could absolutely taste the pear in the wine, that was easily the strongest flavor of all of them.

I did not have this wine with food.

Rockbridge Lexington and Concord

Rockbridge
Lexington and Concord
Virginia Sweet Red Table Wine
11 US Dollars

This wine is 100% Concord grapes grown in neighboring Augusta County and has a nostalgic taste of summertime on the farm.  

My opinion: I thought that this wine was a bang for its buck.  While only 11 dollars this was one of my favorite reds I have ever had. I thought that it tasted different then any other red, and I want to say that it is because the wine was from Virginia and I had never had a wine from somewhere so local.

I had the wine with London broil and I thought that it was a good pairing.  I especially liked the wine with the mashed potatoes on the side as well.

Little Black Dress Merlot

Little Black Dress
Merlot
California
2007
10 US Dollars

Shows plenty of lush, ripe fruit, wrapped in soft tannins and balanced with crisp acids. The forward black cherry, red licorice, orange and smoky vanilla flavors are rich, and the price makes it a great value

My opinion: I thought the wine was a lot heavier then I was expecting.  However even with the heaviness I could taste a lot of the fruit coming through. 

I paired this wine with steak and it went absolutely perfect.